Police, officials corrupted via social media

The report also warns organised criminals are using social media to lure police and other public officials into corrupt relationships or bribe them to turn a blind eye to crime.

It says crime is increasingly being facilitated by networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, where officials publish "large volumes" of personal details.

The report says criminals use the connections to "gain access to public funds, information, protection and other services that help facilitate criminal activities".

Officials with the capability to facilitate organised criminal activities through 'turning a blind eye' to activities ... are likely targets.

Australian Crime Commission

"This can include targeting public officials who work in areas where they have access to information on the activities of other organised crime groups and law enforcement agencies, or where staff are able to provide identification documents such as drivers' licences," it said.

"Officials with the capability to facilitate organised criminal activities through turning a blind eye to activities, or those who can direct targeting of goods at places such as importation points, are also likely targets."

The report also warns criminals are also using bodybuilding and kickboxing websites to contact officials and decide whether to try to get them on board.

"Organised crime groups have used these details to initiate contact, which at first may appear to be within the context for interaction within these forums, but can be built upon to judge the potential for compromising the person being targeted," it said.

The report says it is not just Australian-based public officials who may be targeted but also diplomats working overseas.

'Money creates power in the underworld'

Mr Clare has used the ACC's findings to bolster his case for standardising unexplained wealth laws that he says would give authorities more power to seize criminals' wealth.

"Crime is driven by money. Money creates power in the criminal underworld," he said.

"Many criminals are more afraid of losing their money than they are of going to jail. If you take away their money you make a big impact.

"That's why national unexplained wealth laws are very important.

"They reverse the onus of proof so criminals have to prove their wealth was obtained legally."